The lemonadeberry is a large, woody shrub native to coastal southern California and northern Baja California. It has thick, waxy green leaves and produces pink-white flowers in spring followed by pink edible fruits. The lemonadeberry grows well in full sun or partial shade in most soil types, and is very drought tolerant requiring little care once established. It is suitable for use as a specimen shrub, hedge, or for erosion control, and attracts birds and butterflies with its flowers and berries.

1. Lemonadeberry – Rhus integrifolia (ROOS [or RUSS] in-teg-ree-FOLE-ee-uh)
Family: Anacardiaceae (Sumac Family)
Native to: Coastal areas of S. CA below Santa Barbara; northern Baja CA. In nature prefers dry areas in
canyons, north-facing slopes and areas that face the ocean.
Growth characteristics: large woody shrub mature height: 2-10 ft mature width: 3-20+ ft
Thick, waxy leaves are shiny green (new growth is red). Trucks and branches are stout. Forms a dense
shrub, spreading with age. Evergreen, even in drought.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms Feb-Apr (usually) in our area. Flowers are small, pink-white, in bunches – quite
pretty close-up. Pink edible fruits ripen in Fall. Can be used to make a lemonade-like drink.
Uses in the garden: Best as a large, attractive specimen shrub. Can also be trimmed as a hedge or
espaliered along a wall or fence. Aromatic. Good for erosion control on dry banks and slopes. Habitat
plant for birds and butterflies.
Sensible substitute for: large, non-native shrubs such as Melaleuka, Photinia, Ficus
Attracts: Flowers attract butterflies and bees. Birds that eat berries include crows, jays, Northern Flicker
and many other fruit-eating birds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun in cooler areas; partial shade
Soils Any texture – sandy is fine; acid to alkali soils fine
Water None or occasional summer watering after establishment; very drought and heat
tolerant
Fertilizer None; does fine in nutrient-poor soils
Other Does not do well in high wind areas – brittle wood
Management: Little needed. Can be trained by pruning as hedge or espaliered along a wall or fence. In
nature, may grow as large clumps of several plants. Can cut back to decrease spreading in the garden –
very adaptable.
Propagation: From seed: planting fresh seed is best. Requires hot water treatment (24 hr soak). By
cuttings: best by suckers or root cuttings harvested in winter.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1-3, 7-10, 12-14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 24-28 11/30/10
© Project SOUND

2. Rhus integrifolia
Lemonadeberry

8. Lemonadeberry arch (almost complete) : Garden of Dreams, CSU Dominguez Hills

9. Developing hedgerow – Heritage Creek Preserve, CSU Dominguez Hills (Carson, CA)

10. Lemonadeberry in young mixed native hedgerow : Heritage Creek Preserve, CSU Dominguez Hills

11. Large hedge of Rhus integrifolia – Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden (Claremont, CA)